“Neither early nor late”: mastering the philosophical and artistic heritage of the poet Yuri Kuznetsov

The eightieth anniversary of Yuri Polikarpovich Kuznetsov (1941-2003), one of the most ambitious Russian poets and philosophers of the 20th century, prompted the authors to analyze the research efforts undertaken over the past decade and a half aimed at the scientific development of his heritage. Having become a prominent figure in the literary process in the 1970s, the poet subsequently impressed with the power of thought, originality and depth of images. The materials of academic conferences held in Moscow and Krasnodar from 2006 till 2021 were used. Newly discovered manuscripts and documents related to the early stage of the poet’s creative biography are introduced into scholarly discourse. The study comprehensively uses the methods of literary, religious and philosophical, historical and factual, statistical and cultural analysis. The study contributes to the understanding of the factors that favor or hinder the creation of conditions for assessing the creativity of a genius in modern society. It is emphasized that Kuznetsov left a poetic heritage that is relevant and valuable for the self-knowledge of compatriots. The most important events that stimulated the study and popularization of his work after his death are identified. The content of the reports that made up the center of controversy at the 15th International Conference (Moscow) held in 2021 is described in detail. Its theme (“Between the World and God”) allowed revealing the summit - the most difficult to understand - stage of the formation of Kuznetsov’s artistic world. The authors point out the difficulties that hinder the full implementation of the idea of the Kuznetsov Readings in the poet’s homeland, in Krasnodar Krai. The authors come to the conclusion that it is necessary to revive the holding of such conferences in the original form, which involves the organization of an academic forum, as well as a series of meetings of researchers, literary critics, active popularizers of the poet’s work with young people, school teachers and teachers of higher educational institutions, employees of cultural and educational institutions. The importance of using information technologies to popularize the poet’s work is noted. The authors conclude that the annual conferences held in Moscow on the basis of the Gorky Institute of World Literature, the Maxim Gorky Institute of Literature and Creative Writing, and the Writers’ Union of Russia in 2007-2021 are highly effective.